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Genetic testing can aid in breast cancer diagnosis

For women with breast cancer, genetic testing can be an important tool. It can indicate a risk for developing other cancers, or the likelihood a family member could develop cancer. But a recent survey of breast cancer patients found 43 percent of these women did not discuss genetic testing with their physician.

For women with breast cancer, genetic testing can be an important tool. It can indicate a risk for developing other cancers, or the likelihood a family member could develop cancer. But a recent survey of breast cancer patients found 43 percent of these women did not discuss genetic testing with their physician.

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Updated: 5:46 PM EDT Oct 5, 2015

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WEBVTT HAD THAT DISCUSSION. HERE'S 11 NEWS' MINDY BASARA. MINDY: RENÉ SPENCER WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH AN AGGRESSIVE FORM OF BREAST CANCER FOR THE SECOND TIME. THIS IS UNUSUAL FOR A WOMAN AS INITIALLY, SO SHE DECIDED TO UNDERGO GENETIC TESTING. IT CAME BACK POSITIVE FOR BRCA- 1, WHICH PUTS HER AT RISK FOR OTHER CONDITIONS. THIS TIME I HAD TO GET MY OVARIES OUT AND I OPTED TO GET A DOUBLE MASTECTOMY, BECAUSE THAT WAS THE BEST TREATMENT FOR ME. MINDY: ONCOLOGIST DR. DAVID RICE BURKE SAYS THE TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE TODAY CANNOT COMPLETELY RULE OUT A GENETIC TREATISES -- PREDISPOSITION TO CANCER IT CAN BE USEFUL. IT IS HELPFUL IN DECIDING WHAT SURGERY TO UNDERGO AND IT IS HELPFUL IN FUTURE PLANNING FOR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS ABOUT THEIR GETTING TESTED. MINDY: HE SAYS HE IS MORE APT TO DISCUSS GENETIC TESTING WITH PATIENTS NOW THAN 20 YEARS AGO BECAUSE THE TESTS ARE MUCH BETTER. ASHLEY LOWE HAS SEEN AN INCREASE, TOO. IT IS GAINING SPEED. HAVING THAT FORMAL RISK ASSESSMENT WITH A GENETIC COUNSELOR CAN BE VERY IMPORTANT. MINDY: RENÉ IS GLAD SHE GOT TESTED.

Genetic testing can aid in breast cancer diagnosis

For women with breast cancer, genetic testing can be an important tool. It can indicate a risk for developing other cancers, or the likelihood a family member could develop cancer. But a recent survey of breast cancer patients found 43 percent of these women did not discuss genetic testing with their physician.